Washington, Updated At : 08:45 AM Feb 28, 2026 IST
US President Donald Trump said he has a very good relationship with Pakistan and that the country is “doing terrifically well” when asked about possible US intervention in the Pakistan-Afghanistan clash. Speaking to reporters Friday, Trump said he would (intervene) but noted he gets along “very very well” with Pakistan and praised its prime minister and general as people he respects.
Tensions between Kabul and Islamabad have risen, with both sides accusing each other of retaliatory strikes and raising fears of a wider military conflict. Islamabad declared “open war” on Kabul after carrying out airstrikes in parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia.
US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker offered condolences to Pakistan for lives lost and affirmed support for Pakistan’s right to defend itself. In a post on X, Hooker said she spoke with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Baloch, expressed condolences for lives lost in the recent conflict with the Taliban, said the US is monitoring the situation closely and supports Pakistan’s right to defend itself against Taliban attacks.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar told Tolo News that Afghanistan carried out drone attacks on Abbottabad, Swabi and Nowshera, adding that anti-drone systems brought down the drones and there were no casualties. The Pakistani government announced a nationwide ban on all drone operations as border clashes intensified; the Ministry of Interior issued a notification prohibiting all commercial and privately operated drones across the country, according to Geo News.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence said the strikes targeted important military centres in Pakistan. The ministry said the country’s air force carried out strikes at around 11:00 am on Friday (local time) against several military targets inside Pakistan, including a military camp near Faizabad in Islamabad, a military headquarters in Nowshera, the military township of Jamrud and Abbottabad. Officials cited by Tolo News said the operation successfully hit key bases, centres and facilities of the Pakistani army and was launched in retaliation for alleged “aerial incursions” by Pakistani military forces.
